Offseason report: Crestview Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — Many decades ago, football was a fall sport. There weren’t many (if any) year round training programs, camps, 7-on-7’s, etc. Weight training was extremely limited, and strength programs may have been something like digging ditches or working on the farm.

Of course, all of that has changed now. Football, even high school football has become a near year-round sport, especially if a team wants to enjoy success in terms of wins. Things can get tricky at smaller schools, were student-athletes participate in two or three sports.

The Crestview Knights are one of many teams around Ohio with plans to prepare ahead of next month’s practices. Teams are allowed up to 10 days for things such as camps or passing drills and head coach Jared Owens said the Knights will utilize those days, starting next week.

“We have not used any of our 10 days as of yet,” Owens explained. “We have taken this week off, and we will be going to our team camp next week with 7 on 7’s and lineman camps using up our 10 days as we prepare for the season.”

Owens also noted he’s pleased with weight room participation during the off-season.

“Our weight room participation has been excellent up until this point,” Owens said. “My staff has done an excellent job of motivating our players to get bigger, faster, and stronger.”

Crestview is coming off a record setting 10-2 (6-1 NWC) season, and a No. 4 ranking in the final Associated Press poll. The 10 wins set a new school record, and the Knights hosted a playoff game for the first time in school history, before falling to eventual state champion Minster in the Division VII regional semifinals. Overall, it was the fifth consecutive season the Knights qualified for the playoffs.

While the Knights return dual threat quarterback Drew Kline and Division I recruit Wade Sheets at wide receiver/defensive back, Crestview lost some key plays to graduation.
“We have graduated seniors who were excellent teammates, and we will have to find answers to fill the void they leave in both production and leadership,” Owens stated. “We have already had several returning players starting to grow into leaderships roles.”

Crestview may be considered the favorite to win the Northwest Conference, which will have a bit of a different look in 2018. Three teams – Ada, Delphos Jefferson and Allen East will have new head coaches – this season, which brings with it the unknown factor.

“It will be interesting to see what schemes these coaches implement in all three phases of the game,” Owens said of the new coaches. “I look forward to our team competing against them. I believe that the NWC will be very balanced again this year and each week will present us with a challenge that I’m excited to see how our players handle.”

Crestview will begin the 2018 football season August 24 at home against Parkway, another team with a new head coach. After games at Hicksville and home against Wayne Trace, the Knights will open conference play at home against Bluffton.